It’s no secret that Illinois PTA is a big fan of Learning Heroes, both for their great resources for families and their eye-opening research. Learning Heroes has now collaborated with the National Commission on Social, Emotional, & Academic Development to create a communications playbook on How Learning Happens.

The playbook includes videos, social media assets, presentations, and workshop guides (most in both English and Spanish) on How Learning Happens that your PTA can use for an educational event for families. There is also a downloadable Family and Caregiver Conversation Tool that your family can use to have a discussion at home about the critical concepts and skills for your child’s education.

The tool lists seven research-backed key concepts and skills that are important for children of all ages and in all learning environments. These seven are:

  • Relationships
  • Empathy
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Persistence

The questions to discuss are what does this concept or skill look like in your child’s classroom and are there opportunities for your child to improve on this concept or skill. The tool includes examples for what each concept or skill could look like in your child’s classroom to help you start the discussion with your child.

Check out the Communications Playbook and consider having your PTA host an educational event for parents, and encourage your families to download the Family and Caregiver Conversation Tool to spark discussions at home.